In just about 2 days, MSI 2022 will officially kick off. And the opening match of this first international tournament for the League of Legends scene is even more significant as T1 will face off against Saigon Buffalo. On one side is the “invincible one”, the world record holder of League of Legends. On the other side is SGB – the team representing VCS – a region famous for its continuous team fighting, bringing excitement but has been absent from international tournaments for two consecutive seasons.
Of course, it will be very, very difficult, if not impossible, for SGB to defeat T1, but in League of Legends, anything can happen. The question is, what can Coach Ren and his players rely on to create a surprise against the “king of the LCK”?
Comfortable Mindset
Coming to MSI 2022 this time, the goal of the SGB players is perhaps simply to play with 100% effort and ability and… that’s it. They are not under pressure to win the championship or to prove themselves against the major regions. As long as the SGB players give their all, the fans will be satisfied. After all, VCS has long been absent from international tournaments, and this is the first time for the SGB players to be here. Therefore, whatever the outcome, no one can blame them, as long as they play passionately.
On the contrary, T1 bears the weight of being the champions of the Spring 2022 season, having won every match. Furthermore, Faker and his teammates also need to reclaim the MSI trophy, which currently belongs to their “arch-rival” LPL. With an age only slightly older than… SGB, the enormous pressure is something the T1 stars are carrying. They have Faker as their leader, but as Wolf once expressed concern, too much pressure can also destroy the players.
Expecting ‘Unconventional Strategies’ from Coach Ren
Since starting to coach SGB and bringing the “Buffalo Herd” back to the status of one of the few teams capable of challenging GAM Esports, Coach Ren has always been known for his skill in “reading” opponents accurately. However, the vlog documenting SGB’s ban/pick backstage always impresses fans, as Ren meticulously studies the habits and playstyles of each opponent’s player. As a result, Coach Ren consistently develops reasonable strategies.
With a team that plays around the meta very well like T1, choosing some “unconventional strategies” can sometimes be a lifeline for SGB. Of course, even if it’s an “unconventional strategy”, the VCS players must still practice it thoroughly. Because Faker and Keria are also known for their “unorthodox” choices, and these two players can easily change the game’s outcome with moments of genius.
Playstyle Considered the Nemesis of ‘LCK Discipline’
LCK is known for its disciplined playstyle. Although in recent years, League of Legends in Korea has had its fair share of thrilling team fights, they still only account for a minority of matches. The matches where both sides showcase macro skills, outsmarting each other, and adhering to a very strict meta are still more common. Players are free to create, but they are almost always required to follow a certain strategy. Even Keria, famous for his unpredictable plays, can be seen as part of T1’s strategy: creating opportunities for Keria to make those unpredictable plays.
But VCS is different. The same strategy applies, but VCS teams are always ready to engage in fights almost at any time. In matches of the Vietnamese League of Legends scene, audiences are no strangers to seeing two teams frequently clash; if not in major fights, then there are constant “skill exchanges” occurring at every position.
The VCS’s approach to continuous fighting can overwhelm larger opponents who are used to following a strict meta. Of course, this won’t be easy to maintain forever, but it can certainly create an advantage for the VCS representative. From there, opportunities to win are not impossible. It just depends on whether SGB has the capability to seize them or not.
